Xanthe Summers, a London-based artist, finds clay to be a powerful medium for storytelling. Growing up in Zimbabwe, she witnessed the undervalued and unseen labor of women in the domestic sphere. This experience inspires her to explore themes of domesticity, craft, and women’s work through her ceramic art.
Summers sees clay as a material that can carry narratives and hold meaning. She believes that it has the unique ability to bridge the gap between functionality, art, craft, class, and culture, making it a vital medium for expressing human stories. Her work often takes the form of vessels, which she uses to delve into the complexities of gendered labor and social structures.
In her upcoming residency at Ceramica Suro in Guadalajara, Mexico, Summers plans to learn from local ceramic artists, glassblowers, and weavers. She will continue to explore the intersections of craft, culture, and identity in her work. Additionally, her art will be showcased at the 1-54 fair in London, a platform for contemporary African art.
Summers’ ceramic vessels blur the line between form and function, drawing inspiration from weaving and textile work often associated with women’s labor. Her pieces feature bold patterns, vibrant colors, and tactile textures, reflecting the intricacies of domestic life and the hidden labor that sustains it.
Through her art, Summers aims to shed light on the undervalued work of women in the domestic sphere and challenge traditional notions of craft and labor. By using clay as a medium to tell stories and explore themes of domesticity and gendered labor, she hopes to spark conversations about the role of women in society and the importance of acknowledging their contributions.
To see more of Xanthe Summers’ work, visit her website and follow her on Instagram. Experience the rich narratives and intricate craftsmanship of her ceramic vessels, which serve as a testament to the resilience and creativity of women in the face of societal expectations and inequalities.
